By: Michael Howcroft, M.D.
Everybody, especially those with diabetes, should have regular eye exams. This is the first line of defense in detecting and treating eye diseases.
Fast progression
Diabetic changes in the eye do not always cause a perceivable change in vision. If the visual changes from diabetes are noticed, a patient might have a mild blur to severe loss of vision. This was the case for Erin Beth from Eldridge. She noticed floaters in her vision for a few days and quickly made an appointment at Eye Surgeons.
Erin Beth had worn glasses for a long time and was managing her diabetes. The floaters were the first sign that something was happening with her vision as a result of her diabetes. “I’m very aware now of any changes in my vision and call right away. I go for an exam every six months. Things are easier to fix when you catch it early.”
Injections were Erin Beth’s first treatment option. After several treatments, surgery was explored as another option. She had surgery on both eyes, one year apart. Recovery was slower after the first surgery. “It took several months for vision to fully come back in that first eye but I knew what to expect because the doctor and staff took so much time explaining the procedure and helping me set realistic expectations after. The second eye’s vision came back much faster.”
The fact that symptoms can be so unreliable in diabetic eye disease is the reason it is so important to be evaluated by an eye doctor at regular intervals.
Bio: Michael Howcroft, M.D., of Eye Surgeons Associates, is a board certified and fellowship trained retina specialist. His specialty interests include the medical and surgical treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disease, retinal detachment, ocular trauma and ophthalmic ultrasound. Dr. Howcroft practices in Bettendorf, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois.
The material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.
